Michigan! If You See Paw Prints on Your Mailbox You Should Leave Them

Some of the best people in the world are men and women that work for USPS.

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They make sure our important bills, birthday cards, and everyone's favorite extended car warranty notices arrive at our homes.

Besides dealing with crazy Michigan weather they also sometimes encounter dogs that have the potential to bite or attack them.

Because of this, the USPS puts paw print stickers on mailboxes.

Why Do Some Michigan Mailboxes Have Paw Prints On Them?

The paw print stickers on mailboxes in Michigan serve as a warning to letter carriers about the potential of a dog confrontation in the area.

The stickers are part of the USPS Dog Paw Program, which uses color-coded stickers to indicate both the home of a dog as well as the house before a dog's home, to better prepare letter carriers for their delivery route.

What Does A Yellow Paw Print On A Mailbox Mean?

A yellow paw print sticker means that there is a dog living nearby

What Does A Orange Paw Print On A Mailbox Mean?

An orange paw print sticker indicates that there is a dog living at that home

What City In Michigan Is The Most Dangerous For Mail Carries?

The city of Detroit is the worst in the state for dogs bitting mail carries

According to USPS in 2022 there were 30 dog bites in Detroit ranking 10th in the country.

When you look at Michigan as a state in 2021 & 2022 we are also ranked in the top ten for dogs biting mail carriers.

In 2021 USPS reported 244 dog bites, In 2022 it was down to 206 but still keeping us in the top ten for dog bites

What Can You Do To Keep Your Mail Carrier Safe?

Since mail carriers come by on a regular route, dog owners can often plan for their arrival by making sure their dogs are securely put up inside the house.

Using a leash, putting the dog in a room away from the door, or making sure they are behind a fence are good safety steps.

Thankfully my dogs Benny and Paddy just wanted to say hi to our mailman Garret

Since this happened we keep the front door closed until the mail has been delivered.